. >>> now we want to turn back to washington where president obama did speak today about the tragedy in his emotional press conference, talking as commander in chief and as father of two young daughters. here abc's chief white house correspondent jake tapper now. >> reporter: as flags were lowered to half-staff at the white house this afternoon. >> our hearts are broken today. >> reporter: president obama reacted not as a president, but as a parent. >> i know there's not a parent in america who doesn't feel the same overwhelming grief that i do. >> reporter: it was an emotional side of the president rarely seen in public. he repeatedly wiped away tears and paused to compose himself. >> the majority of those who died today were children, beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. they had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. >> reporter: it was almost two years ago the president was called to be consoler in chief after a different act of gun violence in tucson where congresswoman gabby giffords was shot and six oth